After Kevin Keegan stated that he would be looking north for a few players to bolster his Premier League challenge next year, it's interesting to see which players from Scotland might be able to cut it in he toughest eague on the planet.

With Hibernian always bringing through a batch of talented youngsters there were reports that the mighty Real Madrid were looking at their young striker Stephen Fletcher.

Rangers and Celtic snatch the youthful talent before the Premier League and at a lower value compared to an English team. In other words, the Old Firm are dangling carrots to the smaller teams that they cannot turn down due to financial reasons before England may even notice a bargain.

'It is vital for the Scottish game that players start to do well in England'


Admittedly, English outfits rarely look noth of the border for new talent unless it is a sparkling gem in a sea of (in English minds) mediocrity. It's very tough for the smaller SPL sides as they rely on the Old Firm for full houses at home games but both Celtic and Rangers are taking their best players and leaving them sitting on the bench.

Perhaps Keegan's interest in Scotland might rekindle an interest in players from up north in a way not seen since the 70's and 80's. The talent is there but as much as the Old Firm defend their actions, what they do is not for the benefit of young Scottish talent. Just ask Derek Riordan at Celtic and even prolific goalscorer Kris Boyd at Rangers to name just two.

The trouble with choosing the Old Firm or the Premier League is a daunting one for any young Scot with a bit of talent.

James McFadden is a good player but not consistent enough to break into the Everton first team on a regular basis. He has found his level at Birmingham, who may well be relegated.

Kenny Miller is another who is already relegated with Derby. The Old Firm can offer such players European football but that is still not enough and after a few years on the bench most players move down south.

Is this the highest level that a Scot can achieve? Darren Fletcher is doing well at Manchester United but can hardly be called a first-team regular. Shaun Maloney has so far made a wrong move in going to Aston Villa.

It's bizarre but Scotland seem to only produce players who are small and tricky but just falling short of what is needed down south.

Aiden MvGeady is another player interesting clubs in England but I fear he would be swallowed like Maloney and become a bit-part player at a mid-table team.

It's quite sad really when you look at players from the 80s like Alan Hansen, Kenny Dalglish, Graeme Souness, Andy Gray, Stevie Nicol, Gary Gillespie, Charlie Nicholas and even more recently John Collins doing so well.Where are their successors now?

Hopefully George Burley will have the foresight to nurture youngsters and advise them to try their luck down south rather than being left on the bench at Ibrox and Parkhead.

It is vital for the Scottish game that players start to do well in England. Although Barry Ferguson played well down at Blackburn it was not well enough and he returned to Rangers rather embarrassed.

It's not good enough. There are only a couple of players whom I believe could cut it in England, and that means not even being first-team regulars. McGeady is one if he goes to the right club. I think Kevin Thompson of Rangers could also make it.

Let's hope something changes sooner because the talent is in Scotland, it never left, it's just that Scotland stood still and admired Dalglish and Souness while ignoring the other youngsters at the same time.